Thaindian News

London, Aug 17 (IANS/CMC) Jamaican sprint sensation Yohan Blake says he bowls faster than Olympic champion Usian Bolt and that there is a “real possibility” that he could debut his international cricket career in Australia this summer.

“I bowl around 85-90 mph, which is definitely quicker than Usain,” said Blake.

“He would probably get more bouncers than me because he is taller but I am definitely faster than him,” said Blake nicknamed “The Beast”.

Olympic silver medallist in the 100 and 200 metres, Blake is being considered for playing in the Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL), reports CMC.

“I would like to see T20 as an Olympic sport and I would definitely want to play in that I could do that as well as run the 100m, 200m and the relay.”

Blake, who recently expressed his desire to play international cricket is being pursued by the Sydney Sixers.

Blake, who beat Bolt in both the 100m and 200m in his country’s Olympic trials in June, says he practices his batting on a regular basis.

“I love cricket, more than I love athletics,” said Blake, a guest of honour at Lord’s for the first day of England’s final Test with South Africa and who rang the bell to start play.

“It is a possibility and definitely one I hope comes true,” he told Sky Sports during the tea interval.

Blake, who lists cricket as his first love after athletics, played a Twenty20 match for Kingston Cricket Club in the Jamaican league prior to the Olympics and claimed an astonishing 4 for 10.

Australian agent Tony Connelly is reported to be brokering the deal between Blake and the Big Bash after seeing the sprinter’s comments.

“Usain might run quicker but Yohan is a faster bowler,” Connelly said. “He always dreamed of playing cricket for the West Indies so the Big Bash is his chance to play with the world’s best.”

Blake and his manager are now working out if he will be free to play BBL games this summer amid his sprint commitments, the Telegraph in Sydney has reported.

The Sixers are hoping to offer him their final overseas marquee contract which can be tailored to a deal for a specific number of matches, the Telegraph also reported.

“For one he is a great athlete, and yes he would be a marketer’s dream, but from all reports he can actually play cricket and that’s better than anything else,” Sixers chief executive Stuart Clark said.

“If he can do what he says he can do, and I have no reason to disbelieve him, Yohan would be a marquee player for me to sign. I would definitely be considering it.”

The approach to Blake is being revealed days after Olympic 100 and 200 metres gold medallist, Usain Bolt, revealed Shane Warne had asked him to play in the BBL.

–IANS/CMC
vs/vt